Final answer:
Digoxin is not considered a first-line drug for heart rate control in atrial fibrillation patients; rather, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers are typically used for this purpose.
Step-by-step explanation:
When managing atrial fibrillation, not all medications are considered first-line for heart rate control. Digoxin is not typically considered a first-line drug for controlling heart rate in atrial fibrillation patients. The mainstay of heart rate control in atrial fibrillation includes beta-blockers, such as atenolol (Tenormin) and metoprolol (Toprol), and non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil hydrochloride (Calan SR). These medications work by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the heart, reducing heart rate, and improving symptoms.
Digoxin, on the other hand, is a cardiac glycoside with a different mechanism of action. It can slow the heart rate but is often reserved for patients with heart failure or when beta blockers and calcium channel blockers are contraindicated or ineffective. Therefore, the nurse practitioner should be aware that digoxin is not a first-line medication for rate control in atrial fibrillation.